If you ask most carpenters, they will tell you not to mount the strips directly to the concrete wall.Concrete walls are never straight. Your drywall will show every curve and dip. Most will install a 2x4 wall and plumb it next to the concrete. They will then nail spacers in between the studs to the concrete. 22 cal. guns are not expencesive, $25.00 if you buy the ones used with a hammer. Any good hardware store should have them. Good luck, Ron J.